Much has been made on these forums and by talking heads about the difference in quality (if any) between this generation of TM players and previous generations. One set of fans (typically, younger ones) seem to think that our current squad is as stacked with talent as ever. Others (myself included) think that our current squad lacks true stars compared to previous years, but is successful as a result of 8 years of the "CQ effect": coaching, teamwork, professionalism, focus and a newfound willingness by mid-level players to forgo large IPL/arab salaries to improve their game in Europe. This second group points out that we have only 1 player in a top-4 European league, and don't really have a transcendent (by Asian standards) player who can change a game single-handedly (think prime Ali Karimi, Daei, or Azizi).
An interesting way to gauge this might be to see your starting 11, if you could choose from players (in their prime) from 1998 to present. I didn't include players pre-1998 because I think younger members might not be able to weigh in meaningfully. So the focus is on "modern" team melli.
My lineup, a 4-2-3-1
Abedzadeh
Mahdavikia--Rahman Rezaei--Jalal Hosseini--Pouladi
Bagheri------Nekounam
Dejagah----Karimi----Jahanbakhsh
Daei
Subs: Azmoun for Daei, Azizi for Karimi, Teymourian for either Bagheri or Nekounam.
Why I picked them:
-Abedzadeh (goalkeeper): I honestly believe that Rahmati is a more talented goalie than Abedzadeh was, but out out of principle I'd never include Rahmati the crybaby in an "all-time greats" list
-Mahdavikia (right back): lightning-fast, bundesliga assist machine (played right back at the very start and very end of his career, FYI)
-Rahman Rezaei (center back): a respected defender in the Serie A.
-Jalal Hosseini (center back): no explanation needed. One of the best center backs in Asian history
-Pouladi (left back): underrated and not talked about often enough. At his best, he was incredibly consistent. Shame he'll be remembered for Ben Williams and military exemption fraud instead of his incredible performances in WC2014, which was universally recognized.
-Bagheri (defensive mid): top-class holding midfielder with a thunderous outside shot and elite ability in the air. Very physical, 90-minute player. Moderate club success - 3 seasons in the bundesliga.
-Nekounam (defensive mid): After Mahdavikia and Dejagah, enjoyed the best European career of any Iranian. First Iranian in La Liga, where he captained his side for 6 years.
-Dejagah (attacking mid/wing): After Karimi, the most technically gifted Iranian player from the 98-2018 era. German pedigree is obvious. Key player in a championship Wolfsburg side. Just a shame we couldn't recruit him earlier in his career, he could have helped us qualify for WC2010.
-Karimi (attacking mid/playmaker): a cancer now but from 2003 until 2006 when he was injured, he was the best player in Asia. Not a 90-minute player (hence my substitution) but could do things with the ball that no Asian player before (or after) him has been able to match.
-Jahanbakhsh (attacking mid/wing): Hasn't shined in TM yet but this is attributable (in my opinion) to his inability to showcase his dribbling and speed in CQs rigid system. Only Asian golden boot winner in a Euro league, ever. I include him here because of his smart decision making and willingness to contribute on defense as well.
-Daei (forward): The greatest striker in Asian history and trailblazer for Asians plying their trade in Europe, and in his prime, an all-time great header of the ball. Incredible positioning, key on set pieces, and a great leader with high character.
I think my subs are obvious (except that there may be an argument that Hashemian should replace Azmoun).
I think that my team, with all players in their prime and a coach like CQ, would win the Asian Cup quite easily and make noise in the WC as well (at least Round of 16). Of course it's not fair to pick them "in their prime", but my point is in part to show that only 2 of our WC2018 and AC2019 squad would even make this squad!
Tell us who your starting 11 (and 3 subs) would be, why, and what you think the team could achieve!
An interesting way to gauge this might be to see your starting 11, if you could choose from players (in their prime) from 1998 to present. I didn't include players pre-1998 because I think younger members might not be able to weigh in meaningfully. So the focus is on "modern" team melli.
My lineup, a 4-2-3-1
Abedzadeh
Mahdavikia--Rahman Rezaei--Jalal Hosseini--Pouladi
Bagheri------Nekounam
Dejagah----Karimi----Jahanbakhsh
Daei
Subs: Azmoun for Daei, Azizi for Karimi, Teymourian for either Bagheri or Nekounam.
Why I picked them:
-Abedzadeh (goalkeeper): I honestly believe that Rahmati is a more talented goalie than Abedzadeh was, but out out of principle I'd never include Rahmati the crybaby in an "all-time greats" list
-Mahdavikia (right back): lightning-fast, bundesliga assist machine (played right back at the very start and very end of his career, FYI)
-Rahman Rezaei (center back): a respected defender in the Serie A.
-Jalal Hosseini (center back): no explanation needed. One of the best center backs in Asian history
-Pouladi (left back): underrated and not talked about often enough. At his best, he was incredibly consistent. Shame he'll be remembered for Ben Williams and military exemption fraud instead of his incredible performances in WC2014, which was universally recognized.
-Bagheri (defensive mid): top-class holding midfielder with a thunderous outside shot and elite ability in the air. Very physical, 90-minute player. Moderate club success - 3 seasons in the bundesliga.
-Nekounam (defensive mid): After Mahdavikia and Dejagah, enjoyed the best European career of any Iranian. First Iranian in La Liga, where he captained his side for 6 years.
-Dejagah (attacking mid/wing): After Karimi, the most technically gifted Iranian player from the 98-2018 era. German pedigree is obvious. Key player in a championship Wolfsburg side. Just a shame we couldn't recruit him earlier in his career, he could have helped us qualify for WC2010.
-Karimi (attacking mid/playmaker): a cancer now but from 2003 until 2006 when he was injured, he was the best player in Asia. Not a 90-minute player (hence my substitution) but could do things with the ball that no Asian player before (or after) him has been able to match.
-Jahanbakhsh (attacking mid/wing): Hasn't shined in TM yet but this is attributable (in my opinion) to his inability to showcase his dribbling and speed in CQs rigid system. Only Asian golden boot winner in a Euro league, ever. I include him here because of his smart decision making and willingness to contribute on defense as well.
-Daei (forward): The greatest striker in Asian history and trailblazer for Asians plying their trade in Europe, and in his prime, an all-time great header of the ball. Incredible positioning, key on set pieces, and a great leader with high character.
I think my subs are obvious (except that there may be an argument that Hashemian should replace Azmoun).
I think that my team, with all players in their prime and a coach like CQ, would win the Asian Cup quite easily and make noise in the WC as well (at least Round of 16). Of course it's not fair to pick them "in their prime", but my point is in part to show that only 2 of our WC2018 and AC2019 squad would even make this squad!
Tell us who your starting 11 (and 3 subs) would be, why, and what you think the team could achieve!
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